AN: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVERYONE! I was actually really debating whether or not to post an Epilogue or not cause you know, there's no happy ending. I typically believe that Epilogues come after happy endings. Haha. Anyways, thank you all for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed it. Even if you didn't, thanks for reading it anyways. This it, this is all that I have left of this story. My first complete story, ever. Haha! I wrote this before the final chapter, priorities wow. Please enjoy this final upload. Happy reading everyone~

Rating: M for Violence, Language and Sexual Themes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Epilogue: A Letter

There was always this distant look in her eyes. From time to time, he would notice that look when she stared off into the distance. Her brows would crinkle slightly and her lips would turn down into a frown. Sometimes she looks like she was in pain. Sometimes she looked like she was filled with sorrow. However, once he called out to her, she would return to this world, that brilliant smile stretching across her face. That look of overflowing love and affection in her eyes. That was the type of woman she was. That was the type of mother she was.

His mother.

To say that he had been unhappy in his childhood would be a lie. Of course, there were times when he wished that he had a father to call his own but the men that had surrounded him in his life had made up for all those desires. He had been blessed to be placed in an environment where he was loved and cared for. His uncles and aunts made up for things that his mother couldn't provide for him. They taught him valuable lessons throughout his youth. They taught him what he needed to grow into the man that he had become today.

But that was not what was important to him. No, the most important lesson he had learned had come from none other than his mother.

Love.

She was the embodiment of it. She was everything that described that word. Never had he known the reason why he had earned this much love from her. Never had he understood how he had deserved this much love. Once he had asked and she laughed in response, pulling him into her warm embrace. She buried her face in his dark hair, giving him an affectionate kiss on his forehead.

"It's because you're my son."

That was her reasoning and yet he could still not understand. The love of a mother was a concept that he was unable to grasp. Perhaps it was best that he never understood. After all, he would never be his mother. Everything that she had ever done for him was out of love. When she had given him the silver hoops that were symbol of the Yamanaka Clan, she had worn a proud grin on her face. When she had hugged him tightly upon his graduate from the Academy, the tears that rolled down her face was out of love. When she defended him for being the bastard child of the once Uchiha traitor, every word and cruel remark that was tossed at her, she took it out of love for him. Never once had she not shown him love. Even in those adolescent times of his, when he would lash out and scream at her, she would smile gently at him. Whenever he asked why she never yelled back, she would laugh brushing away the tears that stained his rosy cheeks.

"It's because you're my son."

As he went through the motions of becoming a proper Shinobi, he found that the Yamanaka Clan techniques were not suited for him. The day that his mother had discovered it as well, she smiled at him sadly and reached out for his hand. He took her warm hands in his and followed her as she lead him into the heart of Konoha. He could feel her tremble as she walked towards the Estate but she made sure to keep her face neutral. He waved at the pink haired woman, who watched with slight concern as the two of them headed deeper into the compound. He had been left to play with the other children, as his mother went to speak with the men of the Clan. It was out of love that she humbly pleaded that they train him properly, as an Uchiha.

"It's because you're my son."

For a while, it wasn't easy for him to find a place to fit in amongst the villagers. Sure, he had his friends from the Academy and those who were a part of his mother's life. However, not everything was great within the village walls. Constantly, he heard of how his mother had violated the former Hokage's orders. How she had seduced the youngest member of the Uchiha Clan. He heard all the rumors and vile comments but his mother never seemed to be affected. Even alone, she would not shed a single tear. Always, she smiled so brilliantly at him, as if those words never reached her. She was strong for him. Her love was what kept her head held high. Her love was what made her better than others.

"It's because you're my son."

His mother was the light of his life. No one would ever compare to her, that much he knew. She had taught him how important love was. She taught him that no matter what happened, that love would always be there to catch him when he fell. Love would always be there for him, even when she wasn't. Whenever something happened to him, she would give him advice or the space that he needed, in order to sort his feelings out. Whenever he went on missions, she would be there to see him off and the first one to greet him at the gates when he came home. Whenever he was injured, whether it be minor or severe, she was right there by his side. Muttering under her breath that she hoped that he would survive, healing him with such care and determination. Whenever his heart had been broken for the first time, she sit with him in the preferred flower field. She would hold him when he leaned into her shoulder. She would rub his back in a soothing manner whenever he cried. She never abandoned him, even when he wanted her to leave him be.

"It's because you're my son."

It was as if it were yesterday, that he came home to find his mother draped across the couch on his fifteenth. Her slender body was trembling and shaking as she clutched a piece of paper in her hand. When he called out to her, she looked up at him with such surprised eyes. Her blue eyes shimmered with emotions, tumbled like waves on the shore. She jumped up quickly, rushing over to him, clutching his face. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. Her shaking hands traced over the lines of his face, touched his hair in such a delicate manner. She roughly pulled him into her bosom, sobbing heavily and holding him so tightly that he thought he would pass out from the lack of oxygen. That was the first and last time that he had seen his mother cry, but he could remember the words that left her sobbing mouth.

"You are our son."

Never again did she use the word 'our' nor did he try to pry it from her. They continued through the motions of their lives, living in perfect peace. It wasn't long before his mother decided that she would take up being a Kunoichi once more. Seeing how he had graduated the Academy, she grew bored in her idle time of tending to the flower shop. Soon, the house was empty but her love was always there to remind him he wasn't alone. He had always wondered why she never went to find a worthy man to be with. She would just smile sadly and look off into another direction, that distant look coming to her eyes.

"It's because you're my son."

The years passed and he watched his mother slowly grow older, despite the flame that was nestled in her chest. She was still an excellent Shinobi and trained him in various ways of using flora in his techniques. Seeing how the Yamanaka Clan would likely end with her, she sealed away the family scrolls, telling him that one day he would have a child and they would likely inherit her genes. She begged that he show them these scrolls. This had all her families' techniques and the ones that she had been able to create herself. He vowed that he would see to that her lineage would be passed along as well. She smiled gently and kissed the top of his head affectionately. He mentioned that it wasn't too late for her to have another child.

"I don't need another one because you're my son."

He soon took his training seriously not much longer, wanting to make her proud. He knew that he needn't try so hard for she was always watching him when he went to the Uchiha Estate. There was pride radiating from her and he always wanted to see that look on her face. So he continued to train and go on missions, proving that even a bastard child could be great. To prove that his mother had raised him to become a strong Shinobi. In his mind, there was no need to have a father.

Because she was his mother.

When the older Uchiha passed on due to old age, he attended the funeral, knowing that he owed a lot to the man for training him. He stood before his grave, the loudness of the pouring rain drowning out the sounds around him. He watched as his wife, Hinami, mourned grievously for his death, holding her children close to her. His mother was not there to attend, being called out on a mission a week prior to his death. When she had returned to the news, he watched the entire color drain from her face. She looked lost as she tried to regain her composure. With a nod of her head, she went to her room to change out of her Shinobi attire. It wasn't until late at night that he heard her leave. Curious, he followed her to the gravesite of Uchiha Madara. There he watched his mother mourn over his grave, hugging the tombstone tightly in her arms. She screamed and sobbed for what seemed like an eternity, he wondered why she was so upset by his death. Had they been friends? Had her love extended to his former Teacher that she mourned?

He would never know that answer, not for a few years.

The news that his mother had been gravely injured on her mission before retirement had caused his world to stop. He had been tending to the greenhouse when Himawari brought him the news. He rushed to the hospital after the words left her mouth. He had been intercepted in the hallway leading to Emergency Room by Shikamaru and Chouji. He had raised as much hell as he could before he was subdued. Hours passed until he was able to see her. Hours passed in fear that she wouldn't survive. He rushed to her side the minute he was permitted to do so. She laid against the white sheets, her complexion matching the color surrounding her. She wearily opened her eyes, gazing at him with that familiar affection. Raising her weak hand, she caressed his face and he felt the tears fall down his cheek. She chuckled, telling him not to cry. Telling him that in her old age, it was unlikely that she would survive.

She had always reminded him that in their line of work, she could die at any moment. She was lucky to have survived this long. He stayed beside her all night, sitting and watching as she gave her final farewells to the people that she had known and loved. Never had he seen so many people come to see her. Never had he known how much her love had affected everyone. In the wee hours of the morning, Yamanaka Ino passed with little pain, her face was so serene as she laid there, a smile on her lips. Her parting words rang in his head as he held her close to him, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Remember, I will always love you, because you are my son."

Konoha had lost their flower.

On his twenty-second birthday, he received a letter in the mail. He felt his whole world tilt at the familiar handwriting addressed on the violet colored envelope. He had cancelled all his plans, staring at the letter for hours. Sitting on the couch, he picked up the letter, carefully opening the package and reading the contents that were outlined in the cursive that was of his mother's hand.

My Little Izuna,

You have just reached the age of twenty-two and I cannot express how proud I am of you. At this time, you would be the Head of the Yamanaka Clan but unfortunately for the both of us, it seems as if you have taken down the path of an Uchiha. Please, never feel bitter about that, I have long known that you would be unable to carrying on with the Yamanaka Techniques. For that, as your mother, I apologize. You may find it strange that you are receiving this letter, which only means that I have passed on. My little Izuna, I must apologize once more, for I have kept something from you for the longest of times.

You were born on a snowy day twenty-two years ago on February 10th. Do you understand the significance of that day? If not, then I shall explain it to you in this letter. I know that you know all about the History of Konoha and the Founders. In those days, there was nothing but war between the Senju and Uchiha Clan. There were two men who rose through the ranks of the Uchiha Clan: Madara and Izuna. Now, I am sure that you're confused as to why any of this is pertaining to you but bear with me. Throughout the years, Madara and Hashirama fought against one another until eventually, they allied together and created Konoha. It wasn't long before Madara defected, the pain of losing his brother, Izuna taking its toll on him and he sought for revenge.

I'm sure that you know all about this, so I will skip all the other details. Bringing you to the point of when I was at your age. For the longest of times, I have kept this mission in the dark from the entire village and from you. When Madara was resurrected, he was under my supervision for almost a year. We had hated one another for such a long time that surely it would seem unrealistic that we feel in love. However, blinded by sense of duty and loyalty to the village, I pushed his love away. I had given up my happiness, in order to serve the village that I love. I made a decision it was either the village or him and I chose wrong. When he finally decided to serve his duty to the village, it was heart wrenching. I was in agony daily and I had never felt so weak, because of love. It was torture to not be with him and I know that he felt the same way. But we had decided our fate, Izuna. We decided to be bound by our village rather than to live a life of happiness.

So I devised a plan, a plan that would be irreversible. I erased all the memories that Madara and I had spent with one another on our last night together. I took away his pain, hoping that he would live a life that wasn't haunted by memories of our time together. I had only planned on erasing his memories until I found that I was with child, with you, Izuna. In those dark moments of guilt and loneliness, I decided that I too, would have my memories erased and that no one else would know about the happenings of the mission. I created a seal on my memories in order to protect everyone, myself and you. I created an elaborate story about Uchiha Sasuke, in order for Madara to never know about you. I apologize for all the rumors that filtered through the village. I apologize for all the looks that were thrown at you.

Your mother had been so selfish.

Madara, he was a kind man, despite all that you may have read of him. He had his faults, just like the rest of us. However, once I finally uncovered his true self, I fell for him. I fell harder than I had ever for anyone in my life. He was strong willed and determined. He showed me his weakness without hesitation. He challenged me in a way that was thrilling and exciting. He angered and annoyed me until I wanted to scream. And he had loved me. He loved me so passionately that I became breathless and scared. As much as I had craved for his love, I ran away from him. That is my biggest regret in my life. I ran away from the only man that I could ever love so wholly. No matter what, I never want you to think that your father abandoned you, I take the blame for that. We loved one another but I had decided that we would never work. If I hadn't been so fearful, then he would've been a part of your life.

I know that you have always admired Madara. Do you remember the days when you would talk about him constantly? Do you remember when you told me you wanted to be just like him? I would nod and smile at you, subconsciously I knew that it was because you were his child that you looked up to him. I believe that somewhere along the way, he understood too. Maybe it was just my imagination. You really do look like him.

I am so sorry.

But Izuna, I had to give up everything, just to have you, because you were our son. Because you were a product of the love that we never were able to fulfill fully. I could never give you up, so I created this life in order for you to live. You were already loved more than you could possibly ever know. Those who had stayed by my side loved you before the knew you. And I know, that your father would have loved you just as much as I have. The day that memories came back, was on your fifteenth birthday, do you remember? I had found the countless of draft scrolls that I had written to the Hokage about the mission, I read every detail over and over again, until the seal broken. I had collapsed from the emotion pain and the onslaught of images and I broke down. I never wanted you to see me like that but that was the day I truly understood what you meant to me.

Izuna, you have and always will be the light of my life. The reason I never loved another was because I had you. You were the love of my life and no one would ever be able to replace those emotions. This letter is to thank you for filling the hole that had been in my heart for so long. This letter is to finally tell you about your past, the one that I had chosen to forget in order to protect you. I am truly sorry for keeping you in the dark but I thought that it was the best for you. Now, you are receiving this letter, with the hopes that you are the understanding and compassionate man that I have raised you to be.

You were named after Madara's younger brother, I'm sure you realize that now. I chose that name because I felt that it was right. Madara had cared so much for his younger brother and I have seen what his brother meant to him. In a way, I believe it was my subconscious telling me that this name was perfect for you. After all, you were born on the same day as him. It was fate, I believe. It was fate that you were born that day and it was fate that I named you Izuna. I had always believed that there was no place for your father and I, in this lifetime, but I believe that I have been wrong all along. You are proof of that, of our love that could have survived.

I have loved you with every fibre of my being, Izuna. I have loved you so that you may never feel alone, like your father and I have. I have loved you so that you may never stray from the path that is lit, unlike your father. I have loved you so that your judgement would not be clouded by duty and loyalty to the village, unlike myself. I have show you love so that one day, when you find that one person, that no matter what, you will not give up.

Because you are our son, never forget that.

With all the love in this lifetime and thereon after.

Your Mother,

Yamanaka Ino.

Setting down the letter, he let out a heavy breath. There was a mixture of emotions that ran through his body. He wasn't sure if he should feel some sort of happiness, anger or sadness. He picked up the letter once more, dark eyes scanning across the words that his mother had left him. He wasn't sure how long he had reread her handwriting, over and over. Pulling apart every sentence, thinking about each paragraph. There was a point that he was crying uncontrollably. There was a moment that he stormed around their home in a fit of rage. Three was a point that he was laughing hysterically. He laid on the floor, clutching his head as his laughter died down. He huffed and panted as he regained his breath. All the thoughts in his head were causing him to lose focus. Tears rolled down from the corner of his eyes as his chest became heavy with grief. The truth of all that had happened in his mother and father's lives caused him to ache, to burn. It was painful to think about. It was painful to read about. He wasn't sure if he was able to forgive his mother for her decisions. He wasn't sure if he was able to forgive the village for taking away his family's happiness. Opening his eyes, the Sharingan he had awakened shortly after losing a companion on his third mission as a Genin, spiralled out of control due to his grief. It awakened into a new stage, the emotional stress that the letter placed on him, helping him advance to a higher capability.

It took him hours to compose himself as he laid on the floor of his house. Sitting up, he glanced around, wondering if his home had changed due to the truth. He could still feel the days that he and his mother would run around the living room, playing tag. He could still see himself nestled between her legs as she works on family scrolls. She could still smell the cooking that she would make the morning after a big mission and his return to the village. He could still feel the love that she had presented him everyday of his life. He could still feel her love resonating deep within his being. A gentle smile touched his lips as he stood up, collecting the papers of the letter and folding them. He placed them on the coffee table before leaving the house.

The sun was beginning to set as he walked towards a familiar location. The thought suddenly struck him and he chuckled to himself. He had always found it strange that they had been buried here, rather than the formal burial ground. Walking through the thicket, he brushed away the overgrown foliage as he entered a place that he hadn't been since the death of his mother. The orange sky gave the field an ethereal glow, the wild rolled across the sea of flowers, looking like waves on the beach. He gripped the bouquet in his hands tightly, stopping in front of two gravestones. A gentle smile came to his face as he placed the flowers down, offering a minute or two of silence. Leaning over, he kissed the stone markers, feeling somewhat complete for the first time in his life.

"Thank you, for being my parents," he managed out in a trembling tone. "Thank you for letting me be your son."

Maybe he was imagining things but the feeling of familiar arms wrapped around his neck, he could almost smell her scent as she embraced him. When the feeling was gone, he turned around as him mind played tricks on him. In the middle of the field, he could see a younger version of his mother running towards a tall figure. Her signature ponytail swayed back and forth with her movements and the taller figure reached out his hand. She paused and looked back over at him, a smile on her lips before she took hold of the other's hand. There figures disappeared along with the setting sun. He looked back the two gravestones beside each other. No one had ever questioned why they chose to be here but he understood now. This had been the only place they belonged. Reading the names, he bowed his head one more time, promising to visit them again soon.

Rest in Peace: Uchiha Madara and Yamanaka Ino.

They had found a place where were able to be with one another finally.

AN: So yeah, that's all folks. I really hoped you enjoyed this story. If not, that's fine too. I tried to make the Epilogue a bit happy, compared to the ending. Honestly you guys, this Epilogue has to be one of the more beautiful things I have ever written. At least, in my mind I thought it was beautiful and heart touching. Thank you for all of the reviews and feedback that you have given me. As this is my first completed story, I realize that there are a lot of things that I need to work on as a writer. That being said, I do hope that in the future, you will chose to read the other stories that I write. Once again, I cannot thank you all enough for reading this story and helping me grow as a writer. I hoped you all enjoyed the final installment of Within the Bush Clover. Thanks for reading. -Tinyraver